Automatic fire detector, alarm, and extinguisher



J. GRISON April 4, 1939.

AUTOMATIC FIRE DETECTOR, ALARM, AND EXTINGUISHER Original Filed Oct. 21, 1935 INVENTOR Jose ob Gmson' BY & ATTORNEY I j Patented Apr. 4, 1939 FIRE DETECTOR, ALARLM, AND

EXTINGUISHER AUTOMATIC PATENT OFFICE Joseph Grison, Braintree, Mass, assignor of seven-eightieths to Paul Joseph Ansel, threeelghtieths to Myrtle E. Ansel, one-twentieth to Frances J. Barnum and Charles A. Dolbier, one-fortieth to J. Joseph Logan, one-twentieth to Harriette B. Logan, one one-hundredth to Leo R. Andrus, three-fortieths to Cecil C. Wright and Cecil W. Wright, and one-fortieth to Ruth K. Goettsche, all of New, York, N. Y.

Application October 21, 1935, Serial No. 45,863

' Renewed November 23, 1938 4 Claims.

This invention relatesto new and useful improvements in an automatic fire detector, alarm and extinguisher. v

The invention has for an object the construction of a device as mentioned which is small,

compact, efilcient, and which may be operated at a very low cost. A further object of the invention is a construction whereby the device may instantly detect a fire and automatically send out an alarm and thereafter extinguish the fire. Furthermore, it is I proposed to so construct the device that it may be easily installed and safely operated anywhere in the city or country.

A still further object of the invention is the construction of a device as mentioned which is not dependent upon any electric lighting circuits that may be put out of commission by a short circuit or fire, and which is not dependent upon batteries or dry cells or chemicals that deteriorate rapidly or require replacement. The invention proposes a construction that remains on the job24 hours a day, year in and year out, without. any servicing.

Still further the invention contemplates a construction wherein the heat of a fire reaching the device and attaining a temperature of causes a first sending out of a fire alarm, and thereafter quickly repeating the alarm when the temperature reaches "'and finally, when the temperature reaches causing the shattering of a glass grenade containing fire extinguishing fluid.

The inv'entiomfurther proposesthe provision of fuse elements adapted to fuse at the tempe 1a.

tures specified in the previous paragraph and controlling the operation of powerful coiled spring operating mechanisms which discharge blank cartridges to give the first two alarms mentioned, and finally operating mechanism which breaks the grenade.

Furthermore, it is proposed to so design the device that-carbon tetrachloride may be used in the grenade as the fire extinguishing fluid. This ingredient changes into gas almost instantaneously upon contact with heat and greatly expands into a powerful fire smothering blanket which is drawn to the heart of the fire by the.draft. It is generally known that a fire creates a natural circulation, or draft, which tends to keep it alive, and it is this draft'which is depended upon to draw the extinguishing gas to the central point of the confiagration. The advantage in using carbon tetrachloride resides in the fact that this liquid is harmless; it does not spot or stain the finest fabrics, furniture or equipment. .It is ideal body.

for electrical or motor fires as it is a non-conductor of electricity. It is considered the very best extinguisher for gasoline and oilfires.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and acccmpanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a device constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional viewtaken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

or the like and having open top and bottom ends Ill and Ill respectively. A removable top cover II closes the open top end ID. A lug l2 extends across a portion of the open bottom 10b leaving a space between its edges and the sides of the hollow body. A breakable grenade'l3 of carbon tetrachloride is housed within the hollow body and at its lower end is formed. with a neck portion l3 which is rested upon the shoulder of an opening l2 formed in the lug l2. The grenade is of a diameter so as to be supported by the side walls of the hollow body.

7 Several spring operated clappers l5, l5 and |5 carrying explosive cartridges I6 are mounted on the outer sides of said body I. Fuse links ll, ll and Il of different fusing temperatures hold these clapp'ers, respectively, from exploding their cartridges. The body I0 is formed with an per which is held by the fuse having the highest fusing temperature. may engage and strike the grenade for breaking it.

Each of the clappers is mounted upon a bracket I!) which is attached on the side of the hollow These brackets have lugs 20 between which there is a spindle 2 l-. A heavy and strong spring 22 has end portions coaxially mounted upon the spindle 2| and the extremities 22 of these end portions engage over the lugs 20. The central portions 22 of each of the springs engage over the top side of the clappers for urging the clappers downward. The clappers are fixed upon the spindles 2| which are rotative in the lugs 20.

The fuseelements are engaged between the clappers and hooks 23 mounted upon the sides of the body. At the lower ends'the fuse elements engage upon hooks 24 upon the backs of the clappers by which they connect with the clappers. The construction is such that the fuse elements may be lifted free from the hooks for removal,-

inspection, and replacement whenever desired.

The cartridges l6 are disposed within bushings 26 which are threadedly engaged into cup shaped elements 21 having depressible discharge pins 28 on their outer ends. The bushings 26 threadedly engage the cup shaped members 21 and clamp edges of the clappers therebetween; a construction by which the cartridges are supported on the clappers. The depressible pins 28 have internal spear shaped heads 28 adapted to strike the backs of the cartridges to cause their explosion.

The outer ends of the pins 28 are formed with slightly flattened portions 28 to prevent their complete displacement from the cup shaped members 21.

The body III has top and bottom flanges 30 with apertures'3l for nails or screws by which they may be attached on a wall or other object. The cover II is provided with an internal flange 32 engaging one of the sides of the body by which it is frictionally mounted upon the body.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, means is provided for holding the clapper which is capable of breaking the grenade from moving until the other clappers have been shot". This means consists of fingers 33 fixedly mounted at one of their ends upon the spindles 2| of the clappers upon the sides of the body In. These fingers extend around to the front and extend upwards and terminate in end portions 33' engaging beneath the cup shaped member 21 of the front clapper. Thus, should the fuse element of said latter-mentioned clapper break accidentally or for some other'reason tend to shoot off, it will be restrained by the fingers.

When the side clappers shoot off, the end portions 33 will slightly lift the clapper l5 until they are free. Thus, the side clappers I 5 and I5 are not restrained from operating. The springs of the side clappers are capable of overcoming the downward urge of the spring from the front clapper I5 so that the slight lifting of the front clapper is possible.

The operation of the device is as follows:- Assume that there is a fire in the vicinity of the device. The heat from the fire will heat the fuse elements until the fuse element ll reaches a pre-determined temperature (for example This temperature is sufficient to cause the fuse element to melt.

Instantly, the clapper 15 is released and the spring 22 thereof will swing itv around so that the firing pin 28 strikes the side of the body II]. This causes the firing pin to be forced inwards striking the cartridge l5 which explodes and gives an audible alarm. The cartridge may be of a conventional known design used for similar purposes and capable of making an extra loud noise.

When the temperature in the vicinity of the device reaches the fuse l1 blows and the clapper l5 operates to discharge its cartridge, giving the second alarm. When the temperature reaches the clapper I5 operates. The head of this clapper strikes through the opening l8 and breaks the grenade. The liquid carbon tetrachloride is immediately discharged to the floor or ground where it turns into gas. A further feature of the invention is that the cover ll may easily be moved from the body and the grenade removed and thrown at the center of a fire remote therefrom.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:-

1. In a device of the class described, a hollow body adapted to be attached upon a wall or the like and having an open top end and an open bottom end, a removable cover closing said top end, a lug extending across the bottom of said body leaving a space between its edges and the sides of said body, a breakable grenade of carbon tetrachloride resting on said lug, said body having an opening exposing a portion of the grenade,

several spring operated clappers with explosivev cartridges mounted on the outer side of said body, fuse links of different fusing temperatures holding said clappers from exploding said car- 'tridges, said clappers being so mounted that when they are released the exploding cartridges carried thereby will strike the outer wall of the hollow body, and the clapper held bythe fuse link having the highest fusing temperature being so mounted that when released it will pass through the opening in said body to strike and break said grenade.

2. In a device of the class described, a hollow body adapted to be attached upon a wall or the like and having an open top end and an open bottom end, a removable cover closing said top end, a lug extending across the bottom of said body, leaving a space between its edges and the sides of said body, a breakable grenade of carbon tetrachloride resting on said lug, said body having an opening exposing a portion of the grenade, several spring operated clappers with explosive cartridges mounted on the outer side of said body, fuse links of difierent fusing temperatures holding said clappers from exploding said cartridges, said clappers being so mounted that when they are released the exploding car tridges carried thereby will strike the outer wall of the hollow body, the clapper held by the fuse link having the highest fusing temperature being so mounted that when released it will pass through the opening in said body to strike and break said grenade, and means for holding the latter-mentioned clapper from moving until the other clappers havebeen shot.

3. In a device of the class described, a hollow body adapted to be attached upon a wall or the like and having an open top end and an open bottom end, a removable cover closing said top end, a lug extending across the bottom of said body leaving a space between its edges and the 'sides of said body, a breakable grenade of carbon tetrachloride resting on said lug, said body having an opening exposing a portion of the grenade, several spring operated clappers with explosive cartridges mounted on the outer side of said body, fuse links of different fusing tem-- peratures holding said clappers from exploding said cartridges, said clappers being so mounted that when they are released the exploding cartridges carried thereby will strike the outer wall of the hollow body, the clapper held by the fuse link having the highest iusing temperature being so mounted that when released it will pass through the opening in said body to strike and break said grenade, and means for holding the latter-mentioned clapper from moving until the other clappers have been shot, comprising flngels mounted upon the ends of spindles connected with said other clappers to rotate when the clappers are discharged, and said fingers engaging beneath the said latte'r-mentioned clapper.

4. In a device of the class described, a hollow body adapted to be attached upon a wall or. the like andhaving an open topend and an open bottom end, a removable cover closing said top end, 8. lug extending across the bottom of said body leaving a space between its edges and the sides of said body, a breakable grenade of,carbon tetrachloride resting on said lug, said body having an opening exposing a portion of the grenade, several spring operated clappers with explosive cartridgesv mounted on the outer side of said body, fuse links of different fusing temperatures holding said clappers from exploding said cartridges, said clappers being so mounted that when they are released the exploding cartridges carried thereby will strike the outer wall of the hollow body, the clapper held by the fuse link having the highest fusing temperature being so mounted that when released it will pass through the opening in said body to strike and break said grenade, and means for holding the latter-mentioned clapper from moving until the other clappers have been "shot, comprising finge'rs mounted upon the ends of spindles connected with said other clappers to rotate when the clappers are discharged; and said fingers engaging beneath the said latter-mentioned clapper, said latter-mentioned clapper being adapted to move up slightly. when the other mentioned clappers operate so that the restraining flngers so are moved out from their restraining positions.

JOSEPH GRISON. 

